Chapter 19: Haru’s Fire

They weren’t alone for long. The next day, while Ash and Mira argued over whether the meat was edible, a thin boy in mage robes stumbled into their camp.

His staff clattered to the ground as he dropped, gasping.

Ash raised an eyebrow. “Another stray?”

Mira rushed to help. The boy’s hands trembled as he lifted the staff again.

“I—I saw your fire. Please, don’t kill me. I’ll work, I’ll do anything—just don’t hand me over.”

Ash leaned back against the tree, smirking.

“Damn… y’all just lining up to join me, huh?”